Helensburgh vs Lilyvale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Helensburgh and Lilyvale are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38.7 km and 37.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $13 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Helensburgh
Lilyvale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Helensburgh | Lilyvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,981 | $6,968 | +$13 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,650 | $1,650 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,998 | $11,985 | +$13 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,417 | $7,417 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Helensburgh | Lilyvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Helensburgh vs Lilyvale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Helensburgh and Lilyvale cost within $13 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $149, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13 per year. Helensburgh is 38.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,417 and $7,417 a year, so the $13 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lilyvale by $13 a year, $6,968 against $6,981.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,650 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Helensburgh cumulative | Lilyvale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,998 | $11,985 | $13 |
| Year 3 | $37,085 | $37,044 | $41 |
| Year 5 | $63,699 | $63,630 | $69 |
| Year 10 | $137,544 | $137,395 | $149 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Helensburgh or Lilyvale cheaper to live in?
Lilyvale is cheaper to run by car at $11,985 per year versus $11,998 for Helensburgh, a difference of $13 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Helensburgh and Lilyvale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Helensburgh (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Lilyvale (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Helensburgh and $1,548 in Lilyvale. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Helensburgh and Lilyvale?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,981 from Helensburgh and $6,968 from Lilyvale to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Helensburgh and $2,400 from Lilyvale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Helensburgh and Lilyvale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Helensburgh costs a cumulative $137,544 and Lilyvale costs $137,395 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $149 in favour of Lilyvale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Helensburgh and Lilyvale suits you better?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.